2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0

A Blog By Tobey

Last season, I mocked the first round of the MLB Draft in depth. This season, with constant updates towards the top college prospects in the draft, starting mocks now seems better than waiting until the summer months. With that being said, this mock will in all likelihood, be the furthest off than the actual first round come July. However, it’s worth setting a foundation for future drafts to come.

Round 1

1. Washington Nationals - Ethan Holliday (SS - Stillwater, Oklahoma)

The Holliday bloodline extends to yet another first-overall pick in the very first mock of 2025. While this college class is stacked, there doesn’t seem to be a standout player in this year's class to go 1:1 as of now. With a young budding core of James Wood, Dylan Crews, CJ Abrams, and others in Washington, they have the timeline to work with a high school shortstop. Holliday provides an incredibly high power upside; it may not be worth passing up on. Paired with a great arm in the infield, he has elite upside like his brother.

Video: @TylerJennings24 (X)

2. Los Angeles Angels - Jamie Arnold (LHP - Florida State)

Some mocks have Arnold going 1:1, and this seems like a franchise-altering pick for a team that desperately needs one. Arnold gives Anaheim a front-line left-hander with elite stuff. His fastball-slider combination gives hitters some of the most trouble in the country. He currently sits at a 2.92 ERA through his first five starts of 2025, with a 34.7% K%.

3. Seattle Mariners - Seth Hernandez (RHP - Corona, California)

This pick could be perfect for Seattle. Their pitching factory has received multiple first-round arms in recent drafts, and Hernandez can join the group. He has incredible stuff in his pitch mix, including a fastball grade of 65 by MLB Pipeline. After going with a high school arm early in last year's draft in Ryan Sloan, it makes it clear that Seattle hunts high upside arms early.

4. Colorado Rockies - Tyler Bremner (RHP - UC Santa Barbara)

The Rockies obtained great arms early on in drafts in the past. With Chase Dollander and Brody Brecht both being college arms, it makes the Bremner pick here make a bit more sense. Through six starts, Bremner’s recorded a 3.26 ERA, holding hitters to a .198 BAA. A great fastball with a changeup that’s equally as good; Bremner’s sub-3.00 BB/9 all throughout college so far makes him a valuable arm to big-league organizations.

5. St. Louis Cardinals - Jace LaViolette (OF - Texas A&M)

The #1 college prospect in the MLB Pipeline Top 100, LaViolette’s been slow to start 2025. His numbers should get better throughout the rest of the season, making his slide end here at five. A 106 wRC+ through 23 games, he’s hit nearly 60 home runs in an Aggie uniform, showing big league scouts the power ceiling is there. This could be a great bat for the Cardinals here with the fifth pick.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates - Marek Houston (SS - Wake Forest)

The last time the Pirates had a pick in this range, they went with Nick Gonzales, a college shortstop who’s now getting big-league reps. With a team slowly getting better from within every year, having the best college shortstop in the class as of now could be a great addition. Houston’s recorded a 1.271 OPS, already matching his home run total of eight from 2024 in just 24 games. The ceiling for Houston is high, and this could very well be the range he goes in this draft.

7. Miami Marlins - Devin Taylor (OF - Indiana)

Baseball America’s #3 overall outfielder among 2025 college draft prospects, Taylor could play his way into a top ten pick. Miami went the outfielder route with high schooler PJ Morlando in ‘24 and has a history of going back-to-back with the outfield position in previous drafts. Taylor’s having an incredible year with a 168 wRC+ in 23 games. He’s on pace to hit around 16-20 home runs again, and has been walking at an increased rate. A college bat that can rise through a minor league system fast.

8. Toronto Blue Jays - Kruz Schoolcraft - (LHP/1B - Sunset, Oregon)

The Blue Jays haven’t had a top-ten pick since 2020, when they selected Austin Martin as fifth overall. Schoolcraft is a special prospect to get here at eight, with too much upside as a two-way player to pass up on. MLB Pipeline grades his fastball and slider from the left side at 60, with a 55-grade changeup following. He has above-average power and fielding tools as well, and could be an incredibly refreshing prospect for Toronto’s system.

9. Cincinnati Reds - Kyson Witherspoon - (RHP - Oklahoma)

Witherspoon’s been getting a ton of hype through the start of the 2025 season, and rightfully so. In six starts and 35.0 innings pitched, he’s recorded a 1.80 ERA with a 14.91 K/9. His .173 BAA, 1.20 FIP, and 0.83 WHIP have set him apart from other SEC arms, making his lottery hype very real. The Reds have gone the college route for many arms recently, and Witherspoon fits that mold.

10. Chicago White Sox - Dean Curley - (SS - Tennessee)

Since 2020, going the SEC route when taking college prospects has given the White Sox solid players. They picked up Jacob Gonzalez in 2023 from Ole Miss and Hagen Smith from Arkansas in 2024. Curley is going to be one of the first shortstops off the board, and the White Sox need to land a team-altering prospect with this high of a pick. His bat has been great so far, with a 1.056 OPS in 24 games. His arm is ready for the bigs, and the bat seems to be showing more power in 2025. This would be a great pick with their current window of prospects.

11. Athletics - Aiva Arquette (SS - Oregon State)

The Athletics haven’t gone the high school route since taking Max Muncy in 2021, and they have seemingly hit big on two recent college bats with Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz. This makes going the college route here more attractive, and Arquette is an incredible prospect available here at 11. The Athletics are another team with a young budding core that’s finding its identity more than the franchise itself. Taking a college bat that has great grades across the board is worth the first-round pick. A Hawaiian native, staying on the west coast would be a big attraction for fans as well.

12. Texas Rangers - Kayson Cunningham (SS - Johnson, Texas)

The Rangers can bolster the infield depth in their farm with Cunningham here at 12. The sixth-ranked draft prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, this would be a steal for Texas. He has a hit tool that’s far advanced for his age, with great speed to pair. His glove and arm are above average as well, making him a very well-rounded player for the Rangers to work with.

13. San Francisco Giants - Luke Stevenson (C - North Carolina)

This pick makes sense for multiple reasons. Patrick Bailey is great, but the Giants farm is depleted of catchers. In 23 games so far this season, he’s recorded a 1.096 OPS with seven home runs. He’s a special prospect with plus power and a great arm from behind the plate. His lefty swing with McCovey Cove could be a match made in heaven for San Francisco.

14. Tampa Bay Rays - Xavier Neyens (3B - Mount Vernon, Washington)

The Rays go the high school route again and arguably get the steal of the first round in Neyens. With 65 graded power on the MLB Pipeline, the Oregon State commit has exactly the upside Tampa Bay looks for. With a 60-grade arm as well, he can man the hot corner at the highest level. A great fit for Tampa here at 14, and one that could have the rest of the league upset.

15. Boston Red Sox - Brendan Summerhill (OF - Arizona)

The Red Sox farm is so deep with pretty much every position that they can take the best available player here at 15. Summerhill is arguably that guy at this spot. While he won’t hit for much power, he’s recorded a 155 wRC+ through 22 games of this season. Summerhill has solid tools across the board, and if the power comes out more throughout the season, his stock can rise further. This would be another great prospect to land in the laps of Boston.

16. Minnesota Twins - Billy Carlson (SS/RHP - Corona, California)

The Twins have an odd direction, and when that’s a franchise's current spot, taking a high-risk-high-reward prospect is a great idea. The standout two-way star has incredible tools as a position player, let alone on the mound. His hit tool is above average, with solid speed and a phenomenal glove at shortstop. His fastball and curveball both grade out above average, and his changeup is at a 50 on MLB Pipeline. A Tennessee commit, a large signing bonus from Minnesota, can sway the Corona star.

17. Chicago Cubs - Max Belyeu (OF - Texas)

This would be a solid get at 17, as previous college draft picks in Matt Shaw and Cam Smith seem to be developing very nicely. Belyeu’s tools all grade out above average and with a great arm in the outfield, he can man a corner spot with PCA and potentially Kyle Tucker for the long term. In 21 games so far this season, Belyeu has recorded a 111 wRC+ for the Longhorns.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks - Eli Willits (SS - Fort Cobb-Broxton, Oklahoma)

The Diamondbacks, like going the high school route in the first round and taking the best available high school bat, could be their move at 18. Willits ranks as MLB Pipeline’s 11th-best draft prospect for 2025. He has a very advanced hit tool for his age at just 17 years old with a 60 grade. A switch-hitter, Willits is a very toolsy prospect that the Diamondbacks can develop to meet their needs.

19. Baltimore Orioles - Cameron Appenzeller (LHP - Glenwood, Illinois)

At this point, Appenzeller would be one of the highest-rated arms left on the draft board. The Tennessee commit has great stuff from the left side with a 6’6”, 180-pound frame. He has a solid fastball-slider combo with a decent changeup. It's a project for Baltimore when they may need a faster riser, but the stuff and frame are there to justify the first-round pick.

Video: @ShooterHunt (X)

20. Milwaukee Brewers - Ethan Conrad (OF - Wake Forest)

Since transferring from Marist, Ethan Conrad has been on a tear at the plate. In 21 games, he’s recorded a 1.238 OPS, while nearly matching his nine home run total in 55 games last year with seven home runs. Another prospect with great tools across the board, this could be a very Brewers-like pick at 20.

21. Houston Astros - Matt Scott (RHP - Stanford)

At this point in the draft, there are still arms perceived as better prospects than Scott, but he could be a great, possibly cheaper, get at 20. His fastball has reached upwards of 98 mph, while his slider and changeup are graded out better on MLB Pipeline. The numbers at Stanford haven't been jaw-dropping, but he eats innings and has kept the K/9 north of 10.0 since 2024. The stuff is there if the control can develop more with Houston.

22. Atlanta Braves - Liam Doyle (LHP - Tennessee)

Liam Doyle’s been one of the best pitchers in college baseball to start this season, yet he came into the year, not in many first-round mocks. What he’s displayed this year at Tennessee is a vast improvement from his time at Ole Miss and Coastal Carolina. In 31.0 innings pitched so far, he’s recorded a 2.03 ERA, striking batters out at a 52.5% rate. With a great four-pitched mix from the left side, the Braves can add another great college arm to their system at 22.

23. Kansas City Royals - Cam Cannarella (OF - Clemson)

Kansas City hasn’t drafted outside of the top ten since 2018, when they took Brady Singer from the University of Florida. They can go back to the college route here with Cannarella at 23. A high-rated prospect on all platforms, he’s slipped in some mocks, making a late first-round selection a possibility. A pure athlete in the outfield, if he develops to his ceiling, can be a franchise center fielder.

24. Detroit Tigers - Nick Dumesnil (OF - California Baptist)

This could be a great get at 24 in terms of organizational fit. Dumesnil is a matured bat that has projected in the first round on multiple mocks. His plus power and 60-grade run tool could be valuable in Comerica, and the Detroit farm could gain outfield depth with this pick. The production’s been slightly down to start 2025, but the walk rate’s been north of 10% still with a 123 wRC+ in 23 games.

25. San Diego Padres - Sean Gamble (SS/OF - IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida)

The Padres tend to go the high school route in the first round, they haven’t gone with a college prospect since 2016. Gamble could be a great get here, as the Vanderbilt commit has developed into a phenomenal prospect during his time at IMG. He has solid tools across the board and offers defensive versatility in both the center field as well as the infield. A lot of great college prospects are on the board here, but the Padres haven’t deviated from the high school route in a very long time.

Video: @PG_Scouting (X)

26. Philadelphia Phillies - Brady Ebel (SS - Corona, California)

The third player from Corona to go in this first-round mock, Ebel has stood out among the high school prospect pool. At 17 years old, the LSU commits grades out with an above-average hit tool and a 60-grade arm at the shortstop position. The Phillies seem to have drafted well, going the high school route recently and getting guys like Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, and Justin Crawford. If Ebel is on the board here, he could easily get snagged by Philly.

27. Cleveland Guardians - Caden Bodine (C - Coastal Carolina)

The Guardians have an up-and-coming prospect in Cooper Ingle in their system as a possible future catcher, but why not add Bodine at 27? The Coastal backstop has hit for a .341 batting average in 23 games so far, with a 126 wRC+. Just the type of pick manager Stephen Vogt would like here late in the first round.

Prospect Promotion Incentive Picks

28. Kansas City Royals - Gavin Kilen (2B - Tennessee)

The midwest native and Tennessee volunteer bolsters the Royals system’s infield depth, here at pick 28. Since transferring to Tony Vitello’s squad, he’s been a standout bat in the SEC. He’s been walking at a clip slightly above 20% and striking out way under the 10% threshold he was slightly under in 2024. He has an advanced hit tool, holding a .431 average through 21 games, with a 186 wRC+. The Royals can cap off their first round with a second great college bat here.

Compensation picks

29. Arizona Diamondbacks - Slater de Brun (OF - Summit, Oregon)

The second high school prospect selected from The Beaver State in this first round, The Diamondbacks will keep de Brun out west with this selection, adding another toolsy outfielder to their system. His MLB Pipeline 55-grade hit tool is solid, but his best tools come from his glove and legs. He has phenomenal speed, giving him great range in the outfield with a 60-grade glove. The fit here seems better than most organizations in the league.

30. Baltimore Orioles - Nolan Schubart (OF - Oklahoma State)

The O’s snagged a power-hitting outfielder in last year's first round with Vance Honeycutt out of UNC, and getting Schubart here is an absolute steal. Arguably the best pure power in the class, his lefty swing would most likely fit in well at Camden Yards. While not graded great in the field, he has a ceiling to be an incredible big-league DH.

31. Baltimore Orioles - Ethan Petry (OF/1B - South Carolina)

Petry doesn’t grade out across the board as well as other prospects, but he has incredible power upside for this range in the draft. He’s been a standout SEC bat his whole career at South Carolina, with over 20 home runs in each of his first two seasons. They went the college route in this range last year, and they could do the same and grab a great couple of bats with high-power upside.

32. Milwaukee Brewers - Quentin Young (OF/3B - Oaks Christian, California)

This seems like one of those intriguing prospects the Brewers could get as a steal here at 32. There are great tools across the board for Young, with high power upside, such as a 60-grade on the MLB Pipeline and a 60-grade arm, allowing his versatility from third and the outfield. Brewers have gone the college route a lot recently, but this seems like a prospect they’d be too intrigued to pass up if available.

Competitive Balance Round A

33. Milwaukee Brewers - Ike Irish (C - Auburn)

While their top prospect is a catcher, and they have William Contreras coming off of an incredible 2024 campaign, taking Baseball America’s #12 overall prospect in the class could be too good to pass up. An injury briefly halted his start in 2025, but when healthy, Irish is easily still one of the best catchers in his class.

34. Detroit Tigers - Brock Sell (OF - Tokay, California)

This is another interesting fit; Sell is a player who can complement Max Clark very well in the future. 60 grades on his run and hit tools on MLB Pipeline. This is another lefty swing that could translate well to Comerica.

Video: @hummbabybb (X)

35. Seattle Mariners - Gavin Fien (3B - Great Oak, CA)

Another high school prospect to the Mariners system. He has great tools across the board for Fien, highlighted by his bat and arm at third. The Texas commit could be staying out west here with a pick from Seattle at 35.

36. Minnesota Twins - Trent Caraway (3B - Oregon State)

Caraway is a prospect that has a fairly high ceiling at the hot corner. He has a great arm and a big-league frame to man the position every day. If his power can translate, he could be a solid player, a prospect Minnesota could be interested in.

37. Tampa Bay Rays - Dean Moss (OF - IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida)

Tampa’s farm is so deep at this point they can select anyone they really feel like. Moss is, in a way, a very ideal pick here. You keep a young prospect close to the place where he played high school ball. Great tools across the board here as well with Moss, this feels similar to their Theo Gillen pick in 2024.

Video: @Deanomoss54 (X)

38. New York Mets - Landon Harmon (RHP - East Union, Mississippi)

The Mississippi State commit could be the next selected arm to the Mets farm at 38. A 65-grade fastball with a solid slider, Harmon can be an interesting arm for the Mets pitching lab.

39. New York Yankees - Gabe Davis (RHP - Oklahoma State)

The Yankees will most likely go pitcher-heavy again in 2025, and after going with P4 arms early last year, will stick to the same mantra this year. Davis is a great arm with a 65-grade fastball and a 55-grade slider. This, combined with his 12.71 K/9 currently, makes him seem like the ideal Yankee pick. The Yankees don’t pick again until pick #103, so this one needs to count.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers - Aaron Watson (RHP - Trinity Christian, Florida)

The Dodgers like going the high school route; this is arguably the best one available. With 55 grades across his entire pitch mix, Watson has solid control for an 18-year-old, and with a 6’5” 205-pound frame, he has a ton of upside.

Video: @ShooterHunt (X)

41. Los Angeles Dodgers - Patrick Forbes (RHP - Louisville)

A standout arm so far through the start of the 2025 season has been Louisville’s Patrick Forbes. With a 15.10 K/9 through six starts, Forbes has a great shot of going in the first round. The Dodgers would undoubtedly be a fun landing spot for the 6’3” right-hander.

42. Tampa Bay Rays - Wehiwa Aloy (SS - Arkansas)

One of the better-remaining college bats on the board, Aloy’s stock, is rising through the 2025 season, and this could very well be his floor by July. His power is coming out more frequently this season, nearly matching his 2024 home run total through six weeks. A bat with power upside for the Rays system.

43. Miami Marlins - Tre Phelps (OF/3B - Georgia)

He is a great get for Miami here at 43 to close out the first mock. Very fun prospect to watch and can play corner infield along with the outfield. Decent power upside, along with a solid hit tool and arm. This would be a great second college bat to add to the system in this draft.

Video: @BaseballUGA (X)